(MENAFN- The Peninsula) |
The Peninsula
Jockey Marco Casamento and seven-year-old Texas will combine again to compete for Asherij Cup – the feature at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club's (QREC) third race meeting to be held at Al Rayyan Racecourse, today.
The pair won the last year's edition of the 1200m feature after recording a commanding victory in the race for Local Purebred Arabian Conditions. However, a tough competition is expected among eight entries, which are on the race card for QR100,000 run to be held at 8:15pm.
Fresh from his Al Hamla Cup triumph with Al Shomos last week, jockey Faleh Bughanaim will look for his second successive major win in the new season as he will guide Rahaf HA for top honours at Asherij Cup, posing a tough challenge for the defending champions.
The other contestants include Ezzat Nafs – to be piloted by Szczepan Mazur – and Ietibar, which will be helmed by Jefferson Smith. Moneeaty (Hugo Besnier), Shams Al Nahar (Alberto Sanna), Alzubarah Katara (Giuseppe Cultraro) and Harab Al Naif (Tomas Lukasek) will also be seen in the feature of the third meeting.
Ahead of the feature, the 1,700m Purebred Arabian Conditions will be held with nine entries in hunt for the title carrying a total prize purse of QR75,000.
Lukas Delozier, who rode Angelic Queen to season-opening Al Ghariya Cup title last week, will guide Mohammed bin Fahad A H Al Attiya-owned Nijinski Al Maury in the day's penultimate race.
Abu Thaylah, Zalej Al Cham, Baker De Saularie, Fuwairat, Nakheel, Safi Al Zaman, Chrome and Bayareq will be the other horses to be seen in action.
Also today, the QR55,000 Thoroughbred Handicap 70-90 (Class 3) will see a total of 11 entries in action in the 1,100m run.
QREC's third race meeting, which will begin with Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate at 5pm, will see a total of seven races.
QREC's 3rd Race Meeting: ASHERIJ CUP
5:00pm: Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (3yo Only)
5:30pm: Thoroughbred Handicap 0-65 (Class 6)
6:05pm: Local Thoroughbred Novice Plate
6:35pm: Thoroughbred Handicap 55-75 (Class 5)
7:10pm: Thoroughbred Handicap 70-90 (Class 3)
7:40pm: Purebred Arabian Conditions
8:15pm: Asherij Cup - Local Purebred Arabian Conditions (Fillies & Mares)